Mali, 1 July 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have strongly condemned an improvised explosive device explosion in northern Mali which killed a United Nations peacekeeper and injured six other ‘blue helmets.’

UN peacekeepers from Cambodia leaving Bamako Airport to be deployed to Gao, North of Mali, May 2014. Photo: MINUSMA/Marco Dormino

In a statement issued yesterday through his spokesperson, Mr. Ban extended his deepest condolences to the family of the victim, as well as the Government and people of Burkina Faso from where the peacekeeper hailed. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The explosion occurred yesterday about 30 km west of Timbuktu. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) is in the area to protect civilians, support national political dialogue and reconciliation, and provide support to State authority.

“This crime, committed against United Nations personnel as they carried out their mandate, will not diminish the resolve of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country,” Mr. Ban said in reference to MINUSMA’s mandate in Security Council resolution 2164 (2014).

Today, the members of the UN Security Council also condemned the incident while reiterating their full support to MINUSMA and the French forces that support it. In a statement to the press, the Council stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable, and called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Despite initial improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of this year. Recent violence, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has contributed to an overall sense of insecurity that has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.

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